Cerner and AANAC Award Nursing Assistant Of The Year Scholarship

Cerner, a global leader in health care technology, announced the 2018 Cerner Nursing Assistant of the Year Scholarship recipient, Caitlin Atkinson, of the Maine Veterans’ Home in Machias. The scholarship was presented to Atkinson at the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination (AANAC) Annual Conference this week in Las Vegas.

This is the 10th year of the scholarship, which Cerner developed in conjunction with AANAC to recognize the critical role nursing assistants play in the lives of long-term care residents.

An expert panel of judges from AANAC reviewed more than 50 nominations for this year’s award. Selection was based on employment longevity, interaction with residents, family and staff, coaching or mentoring abilities, work ethic and quality of work.

Atkinson was nominated by Marcia Jackson, administrator of the Maine Veterans’ Home in Machias.

“Caitlin understands that she is part of the team who are the eyes and ears for the residents and families, and she does a good job advocating for the residents,” Jackson said.

The Nursing Assistant of the Year Scholarship Program awarded Atkinson a $3,000 scholarship to offset educational expenses.

Caitlin is on the dean’s list at University of Maine at Machias while working as a nursing assistant in the memory care unit at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Machias.

“Nursing assistants are at the front line of care delivery and are committed to improving the lives of their residents. Cerner is working to provide nursing assistants with an up-to-date and comprehensive patient record in order to help them deliver the right care at the right time,” said Adam Laskey, vice president, Cerner Corporation.

Nominations for next year will open in the fall. Click here to learn more about the award.